Cleantech
South Australia is a world leader in developing clean technologies (cleantech) as we transition to a lower-carbon economy.
Cleantech refers to commercial products, services and processes that have a positive environmental impact in industries such as energy, water and waste. Over the past decade, the industry has become a major global business opportunity.
DMITRE is leading the State Government’s cleantech industry development strategy and has identified business opportunities in sustainable energy, green buildings, water, wastewater and transport.
As part of this strategy, DMITRE will:
- focus on projects that build competitive advantage for the State, such as the Tonsley Park Redevelopment
- stimulate partnerships between industry, government and research groups to support new products and services
- assist companies reduce carbon emissions and improve resource efficiency
- facilitate industry participation in major local and international projects.
DMITRE also provides the following programs to support the sector's growth:
- The Business Sustainability Alliance encourages investment in energy efficiency.
- The Cleantech Partnering Program develops new cleantech products and services.
- The Eco-Innovation Program promotes innovative solutions for resource efficiency, waste recovery and new business opportunities.
South Australia is a world leader in developing clean technologies as we transition to a lower-carbon economy.
Local enterprise is at the forefront of international efforts to develop environmentally friendly products and services.
Leading the nation
In South Australia, we are creating new businesses around cleantech and renewable energy. We have also used regulation to help bring this about.
In 2007, we became the first jurisdiction in Australia, and just the third in the world, to introduce climate change legislation.
We were the first State to introduce a feed-in scheme for solar power and the first and only jurisdiction to introduce payroll tax rebates for large renewable energy projects.
Renewable credentials
- just over half of Australia’s wind power generating capacity
- 15 per cent of Australia’s residential grid-connected solar power
- vast geothermal resources and
- ongoing wave-power research.
Geothermal
“Hot rocks” energy, offers huge potential to deliver emissions-free, base-load electricity without the variability issues that affect wind and solar.
As a result of moving early, South Australia has attracted the lion’s share of the national investment in geothermal projects.
Content updated 26 Feb 2013
